How old was Jehoiachin when he became king—8 years old or 18 years old?

How old was Jehoiachin when he became king—8 years old or 18 years
old?

In 2 Chronicles 36:9, Jehoiachin is described as being 8 years old when he became king. But in 2 Kings 24:8, he is said to be 18 years old when he began to reign. This apparent contradiction raises an interesting question: Was Jehoiachin 8 or 18 when he became king?

Possible Explanations

1. Co-Regency with His Father
   One common explanation is that Jehoiachin became king at the age of 8 years old as a co-regent with his father, King Jehoiakim. Later, when his father died, Jehoiachin became the sole ruler at 18 years old.

   • If this is true, 2 Chronicles 36:9 refers to the co-regency, while 2 Kings 24:8 refers to his sole reign.

   • Co-regency was a common practice in the ancient world. Kings often appointed their sons to reign alongside them so they could learn to govern before taking full authority.

2. Copyist Error
   Another explanation is the possibility of a scribal error. Some ancient manuscripts of 2 Chronicles 36:9 read “eight years old,” while others read “eighteen years old.”

   • The Hebrew characters for 8 and 18 are visually similar, which could have led to a copying mistake by a scribe.

Who Was Jehoiachin?

Jehoiachin was the son of King Jehoiakim and Nehushta. He is also called Jeconiah and Coniah in the Bible. His reign was very short—just three months—before he was taken into exile to Babylon (2 Kings 24:12).

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Conclusion

Whether Jehoiachin was 8 or 18, the important truth remains: his reign was marked by judgment, showing that God’s word always comes to pass. The Bible preserves both records, reminding us of the importance of careful study and trust in Scripture even when difficulties arise.